Collins Aerospace and Wind River Demo

This demonstration shows a helicopter primary flight display (PFD) with synthetic vision system (SVS) running several Collins Aerospace applications on a multi-core platform. The primary flight display information is overlaid on top of a 3D digital map display which also includes terrain warning information, providing enhanced situational awareness to the pilot. This system is currently undergoing DO-178C DAL A certification on an FAA Program of Record.

Take a sneak peek of the Collins Aerospace MFD-4068 multi-function display.

Based on a T2080 multi-core processor

Using VxWorks 653 Multi-core Edition

Running on all four physical cores

Running DO-178C DAL A applications on multiple cores

Hosting several virtualized guest operating systems on the same platform

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION: What is the significance of this platform and FAA certification? ANSWER: The MFD-4068 is a multi-core platform which is using VxWorks 653 platform running on all four processor cores, and is running DO-178C DAL A applications on multiple processor cores, and is undergoing DO-178C safety certification on an FAA Program of Record.

QUESTION: Is the MFD-4068 using the T2080’s four physical cores and also the four virtual cores (i.e. hardware multi-threading)? ANSWER: The display is currently using the four physical cores only in order to comply with the objectives of FAA CAST-32A multi-core position paper, and this is the configuration which is being used for our FAA certification. Collins Aerospace and Wind River are researching the potential use of virtual cores in avionics as part of a follow-on research effort.

QUESTION: Is the MFD-4068 only intended for civil helicopter applications? ANSWER: The MFD-4068 is a highly configurable platform, and can be used for fixed wing aircraft and/or military applications.

QUESTION: Is the MFD-4068 a fixed function display, or can customers extend and customize it for their end use? ANSWER: The MFD-4068 is an integrated modular avionics (IMA) platform which contains Collins Aerospace operating environment and suite of applications. The VxWorks 653 platform and XML-based configuration provides the ability for the platform to be extended and customized for different end uses by customers and support incremental certification.

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